Act FAST and Save a Life

F – Face drooping. Ask the person to smile. Note if one side of the face is drooping.A – Arm weakness. Ask the person to raise both arms to the side. See if one drifts downward.S – Speech difficulty. Ask the person to repeat a simple phrase. Listen if the speech is slurred or strange.T – Time to call 911. If you observe any of these signs, call for help immediately.

Take note of the time of the first symptom so you can tell medical personnel because this can affect treatment decisions. Rapid access to medical treatment can make a difference between full recovery and permanent disability.

Other symptoms of a stroke also may include sudden onset of:

Confusion, trouble speaking or understanding what someone is saying

Numbness or weakness of face, arm or leg – especially on one side of the body

Trouble seeing out of one or both eyes

Severe headache with no known cause

Trouble walking, dizziness, loss of balance or coordination

Even if you’re unsure if someone is having a stroke, don’t delay in calling 911 to get the person medical help immediately.

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About Ernest Health

Northern Colorado Rehabilitation Hospital is part of Ernest Health. Ernest Health provides specialized medical and rehabilitative services to our patients through our rehabilitation and long-term acute care hospitals. We treat patients who often are recovering from disabilities caused by injuries or illnesses, or from chronic or complex medical conditions.

Guiding Principles

As our Guiding Principles state, we promote a healing and nurturing environment where everyone is treated with dignity and respect. We are first and foremost passionate patient caregivers and team members, connected at our core by the treatment needs of our patients.